Thursday, June 27, 2013

Review of Hunted by Kevin Hearne

Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Iron Druid #6
Format Read: eGalley
Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Buying Links:  Barnes & Noble | Amazon* | The Book Depository*
* affiliate links; clicking & purchasing results in a small commission for the blog.

Blurb from goodreads:
*CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EARLIER BOOKS*


 
For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.
Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in. 


Bea's Thoughts:

This one didn't wow me the way all of the others have. I'm getting tired of all the chasing and running, someone is in pursuit of Atticus, it's stale now. The story started with a bang that I totally didn't see coming and required kleenex. Later, there's another kleenex scene and I have mixed feelings about how Hearne handled it. I can't say more without giving it away but I give him mega points for taking chances. The ending is almost an HEA and the resolution of the book's storyline was clever and satisfying but I hope Herne resists temptation of having more chasing and running in the next book. Enough already with Atticus being hunted by various gods and supernatural beings; the horse is dead and buried.

We get the usual humor, Oberon is his usual enjoyable, lovable self and I liked how Hearne differentiated between the Greek and Roman gods and brought back gods from previous books. We also get some chapters from Granuaile's viewpoint and her voice was strong. There are many humorous bits though not as much philosophizing as previous books, which I actually missed. I like the blend of humor and contemplation we get in these books.

"Hunted" is not a bad book by any means. I'm just tired of the endless "X is mad at Atticus so X attacks and hunts Atticus." We get it; he's made mistakes and he's not always tactful. Can we please move on now?

If you haven't read the novella "Two Ravens and One Crow", you should do so. It was referred to in "Trapped" and is important to this book. It's included at the back so read that first before starting "Hunted". The main story ends at @82%, and the rest is acknowledgments, the novella, etc.

13 comments:

  1. Oooo, I totally forgot to mention that Two Ravens and a Crow would be important to this book!!! Craaaap!!!

    Yeah, I can totally see how the running around can get old but the bad guys are trying to start ragnarouk AND Atticus is paying for his past slip ups of his tongue.

    I think there's a HUGE turnaround :)

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    1. Hearne did set some interesting things into motion. I'll definitely read the next book and see where things go from here.

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  2. Uh, turnaround COMING!! Ugh, I hate incomplete thoughts!!!

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  3. I have book one and so need to start the series, hope book 7 is better for you!

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    1. Yes, you need to start the series. As a whole, it is very good, well worth reading.

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  4. Books 1 through 4 were my favorites, I got to 5 and went.. eh, and stopped. Plus I don't like "crying" books. I am wondering if this is going to be the end of Atticus for me. :(

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    1. I've been happy with the books until this one. Hearne did set up some twists that could lead to big changes so I'll read the next one and see how it goes.

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  5. Oh good grief. I so need to read this series! LOL Thank you,.

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  6. I've been seeing this one and really thinking about it. They sound so interesting. I've had series like that before where after a few you're just ready for everyone to leave them alone and let go of the past and whatever happened. Hope there's a bit less running and chasing in the next one!

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  7. This series sounds pretty good, I didn't realize there was so many books though. Great review. Glad you liked it some.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  8. I agree with your review, Bea. It was enjoyable, but not as awesome as the previous installments. Which means it's still pretty good, IMO, because this series is amazing. ;-)

    The big, unexpected thing that happened fairly in the beginning wasn't really necessary - unless I missed something? - for the story, so in the end it felt a bit empty for me.

    But I LOVED the chapters from Granuile's point of view. Such a distinctly own, different (from Atticus), lyrical voice. Kudos to Hearne for that!

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    1. yes, this - "It was enjoyable, but not as awesome as the previous installments. Which means it's still pretty good, IMO, because this series is amazing. ;-)"

      I think we'll see the fallout from what happened at the beginning in future books. It didn't have a big impact on this story but I expect it will in the future.

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  9. Oh, I already nearly had a heart attack when I thought he died... Just reading it right now, but I agree that all that chasing around is wearying the reader out. Can he just stop for a change and have fun? Too much stress and worry and sadness here despite some nice humour. I loved "Get to the choppa!" dialogue :)))

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